Todays Ponder

This is from a Google web part that I have on my iGoogle page.

If you can't drink and drive why do you need a driver's license to buy liquor, and why do bars have parking lots?

Hmmmm.. :)

Hey! It gave me a chuckle. I know... simple minds..

Monday Again..

It's Monday and here I am again. At work...wishing I were someplace else. Maybe I should be finding some Monday meme to participate in so I can spare you from having to hear me moan and groan about having to go back to work. I do apologize. Currently, it's storming out. I'm not minding it because at least it's not snow. My knees are quite achy though and I'm thinking I may have arthritis or something. I also have a headache to boot. GOSH! I suppose you're probably wondering if I'd like some cheese with my whine :). You know...just maybe I would.

I have to go to the dentist this afternoon. So, that's a plus because I get to leave work early.

This weekend was pretty good. Saturday was beautiful outside...still quite chilly but the sun was shining bright and the sky was blue. It was wonderful. I picked up a new bird feeder for the front yard. I'll have to post a picture some other time. It can hold three different kinds of seed. I'm pretty excited. I love to watch the birds out the front window while I'm scrapbooking or rubber stamping. As the weather gets nicer, you'd find me sitting outside with my camera in hand taking all kinds of pictures of the birds. I find it relaxing and fun! I especially enjoy challenging myself with trying to capture the perfect picture of a hummingbird. That ought to be fun this year since I've gotten a new camera. I'm not quite sure how I'll do because last year, it was just point and shoot. I got really lucky sometimes. This year, I'll need to know more about the specific settings and such. I'm trying to learn, but it's not too easy at times. I guess that's the one thing that was convenient about the point and shoot camera... no extra lenses or anything and the zoom was automatic with the press of a button. No more... with the DSLR, it's a bit more complicated and I'm not even going to pretend to know what I'm talking about with it. I'm having fun learning though and that's what counts. Maybe someday, I can pursue some part time business to make some money on the side. Who knows? I can dream right?

Oh hey... on a bright note, next week Monday I will not be whining. We'll be on vacation and by Monday should be in Florida! Plan to visit with the father in law a couple days and then maybe head up the east coast? Lot's of pictures will be taken I'm sure. :)

Have a good day.

♥ Dottie

My Animals

If you've never met my dogs before, check out my right side bar. I've placed a badge for each one. We have a cat too, he is pictured with me in the about me section. I really love my pets as children. They are quite spoiled. Our Sophie girl is pregnant and due on my birthday...May 25. How awesome is that!

Enjoy.

Sky Watch Friday

I took this photo for two reasons. One...the sky was a beautiful blue. Aside from the snow and being cold, it was a beautiful day. Two, I thought the building was pretty cool looking. If I hadn't noticed the playground on the side of the building, I probably would've thought it to be a prison or something...elementary school was not my first thought.



If you are not participating, but would like to, head on over to Wiggers World.

Happy Sky Watching!

Cool Video

I'm not one to push religion so please don't feel that way. Someone sent me this video and I just thought it was cool how they did it...clever. So I thought I'd share it.

Something to Ponder

I recently added the Things to Ponder gadget to my iGoogle page. Today's ponder is Why is a Carrot more orange than an Orange? I think my best answer would be "that's the way nature intended". I think I've heard that oranges actually aren't all that orange at all and get their pretty orange color from being sprayed with something? I'm no fruit farmer so don't quote me on that. Carrots contain carotene which I believe is an orange pigment in the plant. So maybe my answer of that's the way nature intended isn't too far off? Hmmm...

Today

March 26, 1949 - February 13, 2006

Happy Birthday Mom... today you can celebrate because you are free of pain and home with your mom and grandparents. You are thought of often and missed always. You would be so proud of your grandchildren. Kayleigh is 15 now, has her level 1 driver's permit, a freshman in high school maintaining all A's and B's. She just finished competitive cheerleading earning her varsity letter. Kara just turned 13. She just completed her first volleyball season. She did very well. She really likes the sport and we hope she'll continue it next year. She plays clarinet in the band and recently participated in her first band festival. They earned division 1 ratings!! It was so cool and I was so proud. She is also maintaining all A's and B's. Easter just passed and we couldn't help but recall the days when the girls, you and I would get together and color eggs. The girls handle things much better than I. Every now and then, I think of stuff we used to do and my heart just aches and the tears flow. I do appreciate all the memories we have of you. While it is very tough that you are not here; atleast we do have the memories. I still can't believe it's been two years since you went home to heaven. The time has flown really. Sometimes...I'm happy because I know you're no longer in pain and you are reunited with your own mom. Other times, I'm very sad because you aren't here physically for us to talk to and hear your laugh. I miss hearing you call for Grandma's Kayleigh or Kara Bear. I'm pretty sure they miss it too. Mom - I wish you a very Happy Birthday! You will live in our hearts forever.

Missing You,

Your Daughter--Dottie

Monday Already!

This is just crazy don't you think. I can't believe the Easter holiday is already behind us. The weekends go too fast in my opinion any way. Each Monday it's pretty much the same thing out of me. I wake up and I spend time grumbling about having to go to work. Ugh...I don't wanna goooooooo... Do I have toooooooo? Do you see a problem with this? Should going to work really be this bad? I don't think so. I mean, I know that for many of us, work is a 'must do'. But, couldn't it be an enjoyable must do? I mean come on... if we work full time, this is where we spend 40+ hours per week; 2080+ hours per year! All so we can bring home that pay check that in my case anyway is usually spent before it even hits the bank! I know that I need an attitude adjustment when it comes to work. Or is it that I need new work? I don't know. I'm pretty much stuck here though. I've been here since May of 1989. Yup...nearly 19 years now. I started out at $5.50 per hour. I was just shy of turning 18 years old and graduating highschool. Back then I thought I was making the big bucks (as compared to my fellow classmates making just over $3 at McDonalds if they were lucky). But, as time has passed, I've gone to thinking that I don't make nearly enough for having put in nearly 19 years. I'm salaried now clearing $690 a week. That's not my take home pay. Because my pay is based on a 48 hour work week, I'm clearing $14.375 per hour. That's $8.875 increase in the last 19 years. And that's about 47 cents per year. Wow! I know.... I know... there are many people out there who would give anything to have a job. I know I shouldn't complain. Things could be worse. For that, I'm sorry. Atleast I am admitting that I know I need an attitude adjustment.

So, are you interested in what I do for $14.375 an hour? I work in the Information Technology department for a retail chain that spans about 5 states. I am the main support for our email program (Outlook) and in addition, I help support our intranet program (Sharepoint Portal). So, I get problem tickets when other users in the company are having issues and I work to help them resolve them. Some days are certainly worse than others. In addition, I make sure that the first level call desk has proper documentation to help them solve issues at that level if it can be done. Because there really isn't anyone else to do it, I create PDF forms that can be filled in and submitted via email. I'm kind of a Jackie of a lot of trades I guess. That's because I used to work in what was called the Word Processing department for several years..well up until they decided to do away with it back in 2005. I did okay in that department. It was a comfort zone I guess. I worked on a team with all women. Doing stuff like creating word documents, excel spreadsheets and mostly developing Access databases. There was variety. In 2005, I moved over to Information Technology working in the 1st level help desk area. I did not answer phones, but I helped to make sure the help desk documentation was up to date, helped support Outlook, ran a lot of the stat reports for the dept manager. I was hourly during all that time. In May of 2006, I moved to salaried and where I am now. 19 years. It still amazes me that it's been that long that I've not only been here, but that I've been out of high school that long too. I really think it's time for a change, but there's just nothing else I can do. I'm too overweight to go anywhere else. I'm not stupid, people are still discriminatory. Plus... the one good thing about my current place of employment is that I have 30 days of vacation each year.

Well, now wasn't that a most interesting post?!? So what do you do? Care to share? Do you like your job? If you could do anything, what would it be?

Happy Monday.

♥ Dottie

Sky Watch Friday

I'm so excited about this week's photo. I was at the park last weekend with my daughters and two of us were taking pictures. I was trying hard to catch one of the birds in flight and I think I did a pretty good job with this one. It's not my specialty, but I had lots of fun with it.



If you want to join the sky watching fun, check out Wiggers World for more info.

Happy Sky Watching!

♥ Dottie

Will it Spring Already!

Haven't had snow in a while, but it was freezing rain the other night and it's still been cold. I just watched the weather and they're predicting snow for Friday. Now this just isn't right! Tomorrow is supposed to be the first day of spring. And I tell you I'm ready for it. I'm tired of snow and I'm tired of cold. I'm not even asking for 70 or 80 degrees. I'd be most happy with 50-60 right now.

You know since I've found this love for taking pictures, I've become extremely fascinated with seeing the birds in my yard. I'd be out there all hours of daylight if I could. This morning as hubby and I were getting ready for work I glanced out the bedroom window and saw a bird in a tree. I couldn't see it too clearly, but I questioned "Is that a Robin?" Someone heard me ask because that bird flew down to the ground closer where I could plainly see that YES! it was a Robin. I practically jumped for joy and squealed with excitement. My husband thought I was wacked. He teases me quite frequently about how excited I get. My teenage daughters also enjoy teasing me because I tend to talk to the birds all the time. I consider the Robin to be a sign of Spring around here and this snow just can't happen. I don't want snow...no... uh uh!! Please snow gods keep the snow until next season!

This past Saturday the girls and I went to the zoo (that's how eager I am for nicer weather). I got a couple of photos... I had a blast too!

This guy looks how I feel when it's cold.

(c) Dottie May 2008

I was especially excited about this photo because it was taken behind a glass wall. I wasn't sure how it'd turn out. Looks pretty darn good to me!

(c) Dottie May 2008

6 Things Meme

I was tagged by Skittles for this meme.

Here are the rules:
1. Link to the person that tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
5. Let each random person know they have been tagged.

Six Things About Me:

1. I love photography.


2. I hate roller coasters.


3. I'm an outdoorsy type. I love mowing the lawn and snow blowing.


4. I love animals (except snakes and bats)


5. I never wear make-up.


6. I'd love to buy an old car and restore it. Ok..I'd need my hubby's help.

I'm supposed to tag 6 people, but I'm not going to tag anyone in particular. If you see this and are interested, go ahead and do it and let me know so I can see and learn 6 things about you.

Have a great day!

♥ Dottie

Make a Wish Meme

I was tagged by Are We There Yet for this new meme. Sounds pretty cool so I'm playing along. Below are the rules followed by my wish. There are many things I wish for so this was a little difficult.

The Rules

1. Think about what it is that you want more than anything, what your heart's desire and fondest wish is, and what it is that you would wish for if you were to see the above wishing star flame across the night sky.

2. Right click and SAVE the blank graphic below.




3. Use a graphics program of your choice and place your wish on this picture:

4. Post the Make A Wish Meme and your wishing star on your blog along with these rules.

5. Tag as many people as you like so that there can be wishing stars all across the Blogosphere and ask them to please link back to me so that I can see what wishes others have made and share those wishes with others.

And - here's my wish.



Now I'm supposed to tag people for this, but the problem is I don't think I know anyone that Linda at Are We There Yet hasn't already tagged. So... if by chance you see this and haven't done it, then please by all means play along. Don't forget to link back to Linda so she can check out your wish!

Thanks.

Sky Watch Friday

I just haven't gotten out to take a recent picture for Sky Watch. This image is one that I took when I first got my Olympus SP550UZ Camera. We were driving around, playing trying to learn it.



If you want to play along, check out Wiggers World for more info.

Happy Sky Watching!

♥ Dottie

Volleyball

This afternoon was wonderful. It nearly hit 50 degrees and I was excited. That's warm for here right now. I am so anxious for spring to get here already. Anyway, it was nice enough for my daughter and I to play around with the volleyball in the front yard. She is on the volleyball team so is used to the bumping and setting, etc. Me... not so much. I think I may have some bruises forming! When I bumped the ball, it REALLY hurt my arms. I'm guessing it's because of two things...1) I probably wasn't hitting the proper location on the arm and 2) I'm fat and there's no secret that fat hurts. I played volleyball in highschool and I don't recall every single bump hurting the arms like that so it's gotta be the fat! Isn't that weird? We were having fun though. We even had our dog Zoey (Jack Russell Terrier) outside with us and she was having a blast barking crazy at that ball. Whenever we dropped or missed the ball, she was chasing it! It was a lot of fun. It was probably good exercise for me too. But I'll tell you what... my knees killed when I finally came in the house. So much so that I took an 800mg Ibuprofen.

Here's something fun and crazy to do... After Kara and I played volleyball we sat outside on a couple chairs facing each other. She would make a face or strike a pose and I would have to copy her. Oh my gosh, she was laughing hysterically at my interpretations or lack of being able to do certain things. Being quite large and having short legs... yeah some things just don't come easy or at all sometimes. But it was so much fun just being silly with her and laughing and hearing her laugh. I thoroughly enjoyed this special time together with my new teenager. I am proud that she still likes having fun with mom even though she's a teenager.

Have a great day. Here's to more sunny, warm days.

♥ Dottie

Weather - It's Everywhere

I personally don't like thunderstorms, but many people love them. I believe my fear comes from when I was a young girl. Dad would take us for walks downtown to watch the lightening bounce off mirrored buildings. I didn't consider it fun. Once and a while, I may be able to sit on the porch and watch...but most of the time, you'd probably find me curled on the couch glued to the weather reports to make sure there are no threats of tornadoes. Nope... I really am not a fan of thunderstorms. So how do you feel about weather...we're curious. Feel free to take the survey below.

Wednesday Whine

Good morning all! It is Wednesday and the sun is shining. I love to see the sun. I just wish I weren't stuck in this 8x8 padded cell cubicle all day. I'm so sick of this sit down job. I really wish I could find something that I could do from home. Of course, there's the health insurance that I have to think of too. Right now I carry it for the family. I have for years. I've been with my present employer for just about 19 years now. And, I'm burnt out. I'm really burnt out. The company has gone through a few different re-orgs and there was that small fear of losing the job (lots of people did). But at the same time, the other part of me was like... so what if I do. Is that a bad attitude or what? I know there are lots of people out there who desire to work and can't so I shouldn't be this way. Some days are just so hard. Lately, it seems like most days that I have to come here are hard. Maybe as I lose more weight, the attitude will improve because I'll feel better physically? Who knows.

Is spring here yet?? I am anxiously awaiting the 50/60 degree weather. I like winter, but even I have had my fill of it.

Last night was the end of season banquet for my older daughter's competitive cheer team. It was okay. One of the parents of a freshman went way overboard on purchasing this and that throughout the season and the other day each cheerleader received a bill in the mail. She had spent over $600 and wanted $30 and some change from each girl. You cannot even imagine how many parents were so upset...mainly because she never asked opinions of all parents. Had the girls known they were going to be billed for those spirit beads and other stuff they received after a competition, I'm certain many of them wouldn't have taken them. And, the senior parents were just infuriated with this woman. So, they did something on their own for the coaches. I was upset because my daughter and I were working on a craft item for the coaches and I emailed a picture to this particular freshman parent and she ended up telling me not to do it. I was very upset. So when I got her little bill, I was like there's NO WAY I'm paying for any of this crap. I wondered if anything was going to be said at this banquet last night and sure enough one of the senior parents did get up at the end and mentioned everything. Of course, I don't know if it did any good, but atleast us upset parents felt better because it was out in the open. This particular freshman parent is very controlling, and she's a secretary at the school, which probably makes her untouchable. Her daughter is one who believes she is all that and gets pretty much whatever she wants. Her mom actually pays her when she completes a gymnastic skill. She's gotten gift cards and an Ipod. I think that's just a bit overboard. But...whatever. The banquet was OK. My daughter did get her varsity letter and a pin and certificate. So she was excited. She, by the way, is a freshman. I'm actually glad that this season is over right now.

Hope you all are doing well.

♥ Dottie

Sunday Already

Did you remember to reset your clock for this "Spring Forward" time of year? I almost didn't. I don't like this resetting the clock business. I hate the thought of losing that hour of sleep darn it. Sleep is precious and I don't like to lose it LOL.

My daughter's birthday was Friday and all went well. The Monster Jam (monster truck) show was very cool. One of the trucks flipped on its side while doing his donut. They had some motocross riders too. Those cycle riders made me so nervous. I couldn't even imagine being the mother of those guys. The stunts they do are quite amazing, but to think about all the practice time and falls, bumps, etc. that no doubt is involved while learning. Geesh I couldn't imagine it being my kid. They are amazing though. The birthday was fun though.

I missed my skywatch friday post, but that's okay, I'll do one next week. For now, I'll just wish you all a very happy day.

♥ Dottie

Happy Friday

My daughter is officially 13! Happy Birthday Kara! I took the day off work so that I can attend the band festival she is playing in. She plays the clarinet and this is her first festival. I used to play the clarinet when I was in school so I'm pretty excited to see her take it up and love it. She does such a great job with band. She truly does like it. She's also doing volleyball which I am so proud of her for. She's a bit overweight for her age and has always been pretty shy. But she got bold and went out for the volleyball team and made it! I was soooo excited for her and proud of her. She's growing up. She definitely not a baby anymore. What am I saying?? She'll always be my baby! (Hmmm... I remember my mom always telling me that.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!!

Enjoy your Friday!

♥ Dottie

Wednesday

Good News / Bad News

Good News - The Sun is Shining
Bad News - I'm at work!!

It's Wednesday and I'm happy that I've made it to the middle of the week. I'm looking forward to the weekend. Don't I always! Friday is my daughter's birthday. She is turning 13! That'll make two teenage girls in the household. I can't believe my baby is turning 13! I'm excited for her, but deep down I'm a bit sad. These kids are growing so fast and with each year, I feel a little more sad. I love to see them grow and change, but I at times miss the sweet little babies they once were. I was just looking through a scrapbook that my older daughter worked on and I almost cried seeing all the pictures of when they were 1 and 3 years old, 2 and 4, etc. I can't believe they're now 13 and 15!! Highschool drama, periods, driving, boys, etc. I so love my girls and am going to be a teary-eyed mess when they get even older and decide to move out of the house. I don't even think 6 dogs and a cat will help fill the void I'll feel.

I have Friday off (YIPPEE!!!) because I plan to surprise my daughter by showing up at her band festival. I think it'll be fun. At night, we're taking her and some friends to the monster truck show. She is looking forward to it. So am I.

I hope your Wednesday is going well.

♥ Dottie ♥

Pizza - It's a Food Group

My name is Dottie and I'm a Pizza addict! :) Honestly, I really do love pizza. Do you like pizza?

Snake Phobia

One of my greatest fears is snakes. I always thought it was because of events from my childhood. No, I was never bitten by a snake or anything. My dad did have a pet Boa Constrictor and that snake was large. I hated it. He used to take the thing out of its aquarium and put it in my face "Here Dodes...hold it!...give it a kiss!" Are you absoluately frickin insane!! I would seriously run out of the house and down the street crying and hyper-ventilating. It was stupid crazy. This past summer, when we found two snakes in two days in our yard, I spent a lot of time inside. Even though, I know they were not harmful snakes and the most they'd do is hiss at us to get away from them, I simply do not like them. My skin is feeling prickly just writing this.

I just read this article in Yahoo news that suggests humans may be hard-wired to fear snakes. Hmmm. I wonder if my dad just enhanced the fear I already had?

Do you have fears that are so great it keeps you from doing something?

Have a great day!